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President Sets Plans For College- and Career- Ready Standards

Speaking to the National Governors Association on Feb. 22, President Obama announced steps to encourage and support all states in transitioning to college- and career-ready standards. The first step is part of the administration’s proposal for a redesigned Elementary and Secondary Education Act. As a condition of receiving access to Title I funds, all states would be required to establish a plan to adopt and certify standards that are college- and career-ready in reading and math. The president also announced plans to launch a competition to reward states that join together to develop the highest-quality, cutting-edge assessments to measure progress and to help support their implementation.

OVAE's National Meeting Posted On Secretary's Blog

If you missed OVAE's National Meeting for State Directors of Adult Education Feb. 2–4 in Washington, D.C., catch up on Secretary Duncan’s remarks by reading his blog for Feb. 22. The blog is one of the new ways the Department is communicating. You can also follow our news on Twitter and Facebook by visiting www.ed.gov.

The Ohio Board of Regents recently announced the availability of $813,255 in federal funds from its FY 2008 Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Incentive Grant to support local innovation grants demonstrating integration of services for career exploration and planning, assessment, curriculum, and instruction. Applicants must specify how they will design and deliver an adult basic and literacy education program in partnership with postsecondary education or training programs that will result in student attainment of the certificate(s) pursued. Students targeted for this grant are not prepared for postsecondary education but are interested in pursuing careers and need additional education or training. Up to five grants with a maximum of $162,651 will be awarded for 15 months (April 2, 2010 through June 30, 2011). Grantees will be selected based upon factors identified in the application, including cost efficiencies, service levels, program plan, and other critical criteria.

Wyoming's Ginny Chidsey Moving On

Wyoming’s state director of adult education Ginny Chidsey is leaving her position with the Wyoming Commission on Community Colleges effective March 25, 2010, and has accepted a promotion with the Wyoming Department of Education’s Special Programs Unit. A search for a new state director is being conducted.

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